Ledyard is sort of the standard answer; lots of Navy personnel & close to the base on Rt. 12. Stay away from the area near the casino (Foxwoods). Too much traffic. North Stonington is nice, but a bit pricier. On the other side of the Thames River, Montville, Waterford, and Norwich. If you wnat a bit more rural and don't mind a bit more of a drive, check out Lisbon, further north up Rt. 12.

I am not super familiar with New London, but Harris Rd. is right across from Sherman St.
where an acquaintance lives. Older homes that appear to be pretty well taken care of. The butt-end of the city is a couple of blocks north, roughly between the hospital and Bank Street. In general that neighborhood is not too much different from the suburbs anywhere else, except for the proximity of the neighbors. Will be glad to meet up with you when you transfer up.
Take care,
Bill

"If you ignore the problem long enough, it will go away. Even flooding stops eventually!"